AGRICULTURAL WORKERS’ ACT EXTENSION

Northern Advocate, 9 December 1937, Page 8

AGRICULTURAL WORKERS’ ACT EXTENSION

[Per Press Association. Copyright.] WELLINGTON, This Day. An extension of the Agricultural Workers’ Act to farm work othar than dairying is provided for in amending legislation which was introduced in the House of Representatives by Governor-General’s Message last night. The Bill is only concerned with the validity of Orders-in-Council extending the provision of the principal Act, and it is stated that where organisataions of workers and employers are in agreement, extension orders may be issued to prescribe the conditions of employment, in addition to those prescribed by the Act. The effect of the amendment is to make the terms and conditions of all farm work legal and binding, as long as they have been approved by representatives of the employers and workers concerned. When the Bill was introduced, the Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, said that arrangements had already been entered into with crchardists, and also with grain and sheep farmers. Tire purpose of the Bill was to give legal effect to agreements, even if they differed slightly from the conditions laid down in the principal Act for workers on dairy farms. ' ... All farmers desired legislation, in order that they might, not be brought under the Arbitration Court. An Opposition member: There are no sharemilkers in this? The Minister; No.- That is another measure, which will come down early next year. The Bill was read the first time.